Shopping in Salinas

Sessions founder Joel Gomez embraced snowboarding back in the 1980s, when ski resorts were still turning boarders away from their slopes. Joel, already an avid skateboarder and surfer, wanted to throw himself into this new sport, and in 1983 he opened up one of the first shops dedicated to snowboarding in the United States. Like snowboarding itself, Sessions grew into an international venture, providing warm outerwear from brands such as d3o and Recco for snowboarders to wear as they carve up slopes or relax in a freezing-cold tub of water. Their collection of apparel, which includes insulated pants, softshell jackets, and boarding accessories, features both muted and vibrant colors inspired by skating culture and punk rock music.

After honing his metalworking skills as a Marine blacksmith during WWII, founder Milton Williams opened The Shop in the Garden in 1958, filling a tucked-away courtyard with his original sculptures, whimsical metal decorations, and stunning fountains. In 1967, he hired Michael Largent, who continues Williams’ work as the current owner. Today, the shop bears the name of Aslan, a dearly departed golden retriever who, like his brother Murray, served as the shop’s in-house greeter and chief accounting officer. As visitors enter past handmade chimes, stone decorations, and fountains, they are greeted by the stunning view of a Spanish-style arcade and the warm canine smile of Aslan's successor, Yater. In addition to browsing inspirational knickknacks and outdoor furnishings, visitors can wander through the artists' garden, inspecting copper fountains, hand-cut glass, and original sculptures crafted by Largent and resident glass and metal workers.

Both Ibiss locations are friendly, simple storefronts with whitewashed walls that allow the vibrant palette of clothes and accessories to pop like a paint-filled balloon. For those who enjoy the latest dresses, outerwear, and accessories, and savor the soft drape of a skirt or the telltale glint of a wrist-bauble, Ibiss provides a heaping treasure trove of affordable delights. Garment prices are under $100, and more often than not, form an irregular bell skewed toward the low end, similar to the ACT scores of howler monkeys. Tops range from $20 to $49, and jackets from $38 to $78. Dresses ($28–$78) cover the stylish gamut from full-length sequin affairs for peacocking at prom, to trendy daywear and demure church-going duds. Brands such as Kersh, Collective Concepts, BLANK denim, Audrey 3+1, and Minuet line the walls, while handmade jewelry ($5–$48) is draped alongside sandals, handbags, and other accessories. Take a look at Ibiss trends, including upcoming Parisian vintage finds, on Ibiss' Facebook page.

Trudie Ransom knows just how addictive the sensation of standing above the waves can be. After just a few trips out on her board, she not only began training with the standup-paddleboarding master Andy Whitman from Angulo boards, but also opened up SUP Shack. From her experience shadowing Whitman, she decided the best way to introduce people to the sport was with Angulo’s soft, 10-foot boards, which serve as an easy surface to learn on while spending a day on the waves or taking one of the shop’s classes or tours. Classes never contain more than six students, allowing each student to have the one-on-one attention needed to master the art of balancing and maneuvering the board. Once pupils are sure of their strokes, the shop’s instructors lead guided tours that slip out across the rippling blue mirror and past the sights of the harbor or tackle the more advanced paths past sea-lion habitats. Late-evening tours pause as the sun sets over the ocean, filling the sky with color like somebody inciting peacocks to riot.

Californian abodes can emulate the relaxing, laid-back atmosphere of the tropics with the island-inspired, eco-friendly home accoutrements found at Element Home Furnishings. Many of the items in the shop's unique collection were imported from exotic locales or supplied by local businesses. Multicolored flip-flops, banana-leaf journals, and scented candles immediately evoke vacations on the beach, and a selection of artwork invites a second look with signs made of surfboards and vibrant paintings of Hawaiian landscapes. The shop's furniture show room unveils beds and tables constructed out of sustainable materials, such as plantation-grown mahogany and teak, and towering divider screens made of bamboo wrestled from the jowls of a panda.